Residents observe Juneteenth at CCWF
On June 19, 2025, Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) held a Juneteenth event celebrating the final freedom of the forgotten slaves.
The atmosphere was positive, with people socializing as they waited patiently outside in the heat. There were smiles, welcoming greetings, hugs and an air of happy anticipation. A building overhang created a three-to-four-foot strip of shade along the outside wall of the gym. Residents lined up two and three deep, trying their best to respect each other’s space. The shared reasons for the day’s event seemed to bring everyone physically and emotionally closer.
For the opening, CCWF’s Voices of Unity Community Choir and (VOUCC) members sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Warden Anissa De La Cruz, Chief Deputy Warden Cynthia Rojas, and Administrative Assistant/Public Information Officer Lt. Monique Williams delivered welcoming speeches, underlining the significance of the day. Others in attendance included Lt. Johnathon Cuske and Capt. Brian Castelle, and Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) members Candice Lewis, Wajuba McDuffy, Lynne Acosta and Chris Acosta.
Former resident Carole “Mama Carole” Harris arrived and spoke to the group, then rejoined the VOUCC in another song. When asked about returning for the Juneteenth event, Harris said, “It’s surreal and liberating,” tearfully adding, “It’s also bittersweet because I have to leave you all here.”
Medeon Dean, our resident musical singer, dancer and rapper, gave beautiful and moving performances. The colorful program continued with a fashion show, individual and group praise dances by residents Antoinette Yancey, Jennifer Fletcher, Carmel Murphy and Chavonna Malone, and even a debate demonstration by FSU debate team members and long-term residents, Robbin Machuca and Crystal St. Mary. The outfits worn in the fashion show were sewn by long-term resident and seamstress Angelica Garcia-Morteo. The outfits were representative of historic African colors and designs, honoring our ancestors and culture.
Arturo Barajas and his Mariachi band, “Mariacha La Union,” had performed previously at CCWF’s Cinco de Mayo celebration, and were excited to return. Barajas was a great hype man throughout which, combined with the band’s high energy created an impromptu dance floor. The scene evoked feelings of family gatherings at home with all ages basking in the warmth and glow of just being one with the music.
In the midst of all this, lunch was served: fried chicken, seasoned potato wedges and soda. Attendees had the opportunity to have a photo taken in front of a special Juneteenth “Dare To Be Free” background. It was a time to socialize and review the pictures of historic and current influential Black people and informational readings proudly and regally displayed throughout the gym.
Towards the back of the gym, a black fabric wall photo display titled “A Walk Through History” was reminiscent of a museum or gallery in its professionalism and impact. Historical photos included dark brown hands bound with a chain and lock and a group of protestors at the Edmund Pettis Bridge during the civil rights movement.
This event was so well organized that it could have been a Juneteenth celebration in the free world — good food, good music, and most importantly, good people presenting, honoring, and celebrating the generational strength, growth, and resilience that enables our culture to continue to thrive.
As a finale, Cuske played the poem “I am Proud of You” by IN-Q. Then hostess and the event’s developer Keri Cache requested that everyone stand together and sing Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me,” reminding us that we do have each other to lean on as we all celebrate freedom.
